Depakote (valproic acid)

Yes, you can get a prescription for Depakote (or its generic, valproic acid) online after a video consultation with a licensed psychiatry provider, if the provider decides that medication is an appropriate treatment for you. Simply sign up for Talkspace Psychiatry then you’ll be matched with a psychiatry provider licensed in your state. You’ll be able to schedule a video appointment with your provider usually within two weeks, often sooner. At your video appointment your psychiatry provider will ask questions about your symptoms and health history, and you can share your questions about medication and anything else. If your provider writes you a prescription for Depakote they will send it to a local pharmacy of your choice and you will pick up and pay for the medication at the pharmacy. You will have follow-up appointments with your provider every three months for ongoing medication management, to make sure Depakote is working for you and address any mental health needs.

No. Depakote (valproic acid) is a prescription medication, so you cannot purchase it over-the-counter. You will need to have Depakote (valproic acid) prescribed to you by a licensed provider who is able to prescribe medications, like a doctor or nurse practitioner. You can get a prescription for Depakote online through Talkspace after a video consultation with a licensed psychiatry provider, if the provider decides that Depakote is an appropriate treatment for you. 

Side effects of Depakote and its generic form, valproic acid, are often mild, but can include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, weight changes, constipation, mood swings, and more. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience bruising or bleeding, fever, rash, hives, swollen glands, trouble breathing, swelling, confusion, peeling or blistering skin, vomiting, and low body temperature. It’s important to take Depakote exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

Yes, you can get a Depakote (or its generic, valproic acid) prescription or refill from Talkspace, after a video consultation with one of our licensed psychiatry providers (assuming the provider determines that it is an appropriate treatment for you). Simply sign up for Talkspace Psychiatry then you’ll be matched with a psychiatry provider licensed in your state. At your video appointment your psychiatry provider will ask questions about your symptoms and health history. If you are already taking Depakote and simply want to continue with a renewal of your prescription or refill, your Talkspace provider can continue your prescription if they determine it is medically appropriate. You will have follow-up appointments with your provider every three months for ongoing medication management, to make sure Depakote is working for you and address any mental health needs.

Talkspace is in-network with most major health insurance plans, which means that when you have a video appointment with a Talkspace psychiatric provider to receive a Depakote (valproic acid) prescription or refill, Talkspace will bill your insurance plan directly for your online prescription appointment and you will only have to pay a copay (typically around $15, though many covered members pay $0). You will pay for the medication itself when you pick it up from a pharmacy of your choice, and you can have the pharmacy bill your insurance plan for the medication.

The price you pay for Depakote (valproic acid) will depend on whether or not you’re paying with insurance and what your insurance copay is. The prices of prescription medications sometimes vary a lot by pharmacy, so to get the best price for Depakote you might want to look at websites like GoodRx and CostPlusDrugs. You should also contact your insurance company to find out the most affordable way to get your prescription for Depakote. Some insurance companies charge less when you fill your prescriptions through their mail-order pharmacies.

Depakote (valproic acid) can be taken in different forms, dosages, and frequency, depending on your mental health condition and the treatment plan prescribed by your provider. 

Depakote is not in the class of drugs known as antipsychotics. It’s an anticonvulsant that was originally used to treat epilepsy.

Today, Depakote is sometimes used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in addition to epilepsy and some other psychiatric conditions. When used for anxiety, Depakote calms hyperactivity in the brain, effectively combating anxiety symptoms and reducing feelings of panic.

Depakote can have a calming effect in some cases. It calms brain hyperactivity that’s commonly experienced with mania and can result in drowsiness.

There are several different medications your psychiatrist may prescribe for bipolar disorder.

Other medications for bipolar disorder include:

• Topamax (Topiramate)
• Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
• Abilify (Aripiprazole)

Depakote, and its generic version valproic acid, is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizure disorders as well as manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. It works by easing the brain hyperactivity that can occur during manic episodes.